The Midland McDonald's Airplane

1 Oct

80s and 90s kids, aviation enthusiasts and, well... just about anyone else with a pulse, might have fond memories of the Midland McDonald's airplane. Dubbed the "Flying Hamburger", it was landmark of the 6056 for many years, housing many children's parties and even Ansett executive meetings.

In this video, I'll trace the history of the Douglas DC-3 (C-47 military variant) from its inception as a "Skytrain" in the Pacific Theatre during WW2, its long career as a freighter and passenger carrier in the easter states of Australia, to its tenure as a playground in a Chain of Ponds youth camp (South Australia). It had a full life before it reached Midland - and afterwards too! It would go on to feature as a prop in the ABC series "Shark Net" before arriving at its current home in Myalup.

During its lifetime, it's donned liveries for the US Army Air Force, Australian National Airways (ANA), Guinea Airways, Airlines of South Australia, Ansett and MacRobertson Miller Airlines... although it never flew under that brand. It's also had the nicknames "Moogana" and "Bulolo", with registrations VH-ANW and VH-GAK.

Sources:

https://www.aussieairliners.org/dc-3/vh-anw/vhanw.html

https://thewest.com.au/lifestyle/dc3-flying-hamburger-completes-myalup-blair-howes-classic-plane-collection-ng-b88751625z

https://www.exploroz.com/forum/119618/sunday-history-photo--au

https://www.douglasdc3.com/dc3move/dc3move.htm

https://www.perthnow.com.au/lifestyle/classic-dc3-completes-aviation-enthusiasts-plane-collection-ng-b88751633z

https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/the-shark-net-2003/18359/

https://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/influencers/isla-fisher-says-her-best-party-was-at-midland-mcdonalds-during-visit-to-busseltons-cinefest-oz-ng-b881988299z

https://www.tiktok.com/@7newsadelaide/video/7220385008555543810

https://glamadelaide.com.au/what-happened-to-the-iconic-mcdonalds-party-plane-in-west-lakes/

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/airplane-mcdonalds-taupo

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/travel-stories/inside-mcdonalds-weird-plans-to-expand-into-travel-as-they-launched-mcplanes-mctrains-and-mcboats/news-story/5c0d10ae85686c29fde67535a4eb375d